'Akbarabadi' row: SC orders status quo

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered status quo at a park near the Jama Masjid metro station site where an unauthorised structure was illegally erected by the local MLA and his supporters over the ruins of what is believed to be ruins of the Mughal-era-Akbarabadi mosque. HT reports.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered status quo at a park near the Jama Masjid metro station site where an unauthorised structure was illegally erected by the local MLA and his supporters over the ruins of what is believed to be ruins of the Mughal-era-Akbarabadi mosque.

Acting on an appeal filed by MLA Shoaib Iqbal, a bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir said: "Till Thursday, all parties are directed to maintain status quo on the site in question."

Iqbal has challenged the July 30 Delhi High Court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to demolish the structure.

The HC had directed the two agencies to demolish the structure to ascertain if any Mughal-era-mosque existed at the site.